NEXT year Bobby Holik might be wearing the same Blueshirt as Eric Lindros. Last night, however, the fierce Devils center lined up against No. 88 in a match that really didn’t turn out to be much of one at all, truth be told.

And when it was over, when the Devils had defeated the Rangers by 6-4 at the Meadowlands, Holik did exactly what he always does. Which is tell the truth.

“I thought Eric was a little timid,” Holik told The Post when asked for an appraisal. “I don’t watch the Rangers enough to analyze his game as opposed to before he was injured, but tonight he was timid.

“I can’t read his mind, but obviously he cannot not know what happened on the West Coast. Even if he tries to block it out, he is reminded of it everywhere he looks all of the time. I don’t really know what else I can say about it.”

In his sixth game back after missing four in the aftermath of Concussion No. 7, No. 88 again was a pale imitation of the behemoth who ruled the rinks in November and December, whose presence made every Ranger bigger and braver, and whose aura allowed Broadway’s team to dream large dreams. Last night wasn’t his worst game, and those living in a world where the glass is always half full might contend that Lindros was more involved against the Devils than he had been in the previous five matches, but it cannot be reassuring for No. 88 to be measured in those terms.

Lindros – minus three and pointless last night, minus five and pointless since his return – did not dispute Holik’s assessment of his game, though he did add a caveat.

“I’m not worried about being hit; I’m not worried about that at all,” Lindros said quietly. “Aggressiveness is a big component of the game, and definitely of my game.

“I’ve just got myself in a bad rut right now. But I’ll get out of it. I know I will.”

Lindros has been hurt, and hurt badly, no matter how mild was Concussion No. 7. So he does have an excuse, even if he refuses to use it. His teammates do not. They do not get to feel sorry for themselves in the wake of the Dec. 28 San Jose game that is the season’s line of demarcation. The Avalanche lost Peter Forsberg and won the Stanley Cup without him. The Rangers lost Lindros – and at the same time, Mark Messier – and haven’t won since last year.

People make mistakes. That’s why columnists have delete buttons on their computer keyboards. But the Rangers not only refuse to admit their mistake in signing Igor Ulanov – honest error – but compound it every night he’s in the lineup at the expense of Tomas Kloucek. Honestly, Kloucek’s sophomore season has now become a mess. And none of it is his fault. How can it be as a scratch in 10 of the last 16 games?

Dan Blackburn has played well enough to contend for the Calder, but the rookie doesn’t play nearly enough. Again the Rangers are overworking Mike Richter – he’s played eight of the last 10 and 11 of the last 14 – and it’s beginning to show, the netminder going down a bit early a bit too often, leaving long and juicy rebounds.

The Rangers have gone nine straight without a win. If they are waiting for Lindros, they may as well wait for Holik, too.